(Sports Network) - Fans at Cleveland Browns Stadium will get their first up- close-and-personal look at new starting quarterback Jake Delhomme on Saturday night, when the signal-caller leads his team into action against the St. Louis Rams in the second August tune-up for each squad.
Delhomme, the former Carolina Panthers Pro Bowler who was signed by the Browns in order to shut the team's long-time revolving door at quarterback, debuted in a Cleveland uniform in last week's 27-24 win at the Green Bay Packers.
Delhomme was a razor-sharp 6-of-7 passing for 66 yards before giving way to backups Seneca Wallace (4-of-8, 72 yards, 2 TD), Brett Ratliff (7-of-15, 51 yards) and rookie Colt McCoy (5-of-10, 25 yards, 2 INT).
Other first-time feature attractions for the home fans in Cleveland are first- round rookie cornerback Joe Haden, ex-Eagle turn Browns corner Sheldon Brown, and former Eagles linebacker Chris Gocong.
Second-round running Montario Hardesty (knee) could sit out on Saturday.
Delhomme and the Cleveland first team are expected to play the first half against St. Louis.
The Rams, meanwhile, will be seeing to turn the page after suffering a 28-7 home loss to the Minnesota Vikingsin preseason Week 1.
Rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall draft choice Sam Bradford completed just 6-of-13 passes for 57 yards while under constant duress for a Rams offense that was playing without several key starters.
A.J. Feeley (3-of-6, 19 yards) started at quarterback for the Rams and is expected to do so again. Running backSteven Jackson, who did not play against the Vikings, could see brief time in the contest.
The Rams lead the all-time preseason series with the Browns, 13-12-1, though the Browns were 21-10 home winners in the last such meeting, prior to the 1993 season.
The franchises last met in meaningful play in 2007, a 27-20 Cleveland win at the Edward Jones Dome.
The Rams franchise spent its first eight years of existence (1937-1945) in Cleveland, prior to its relocation to Los Angeles. The Browns came into existence as a member of the All-American Football Conference (AAFC) in 1946.